The first three hostages were released from Gaza, and the first Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli custody, as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold following 15 months of war, with mixed emotions and more difficult steps ahead over the next six weeks.
Palestinians across Gaza began making their way home, and the first trucks with a surge of humanitarian aid began to enter the devastated territory.
Buses carrying the detainees exited the gates of Israel’s Ofer prison outside the West Bank city of Ramallah, as celebratory fireworks erupted. Palestinians thronged the buses or climbed on top, chanting and cheering.
Others filled streets, some waving flags, and horns sounded. The release occurred over seven hours after the first hostages were freed.
Israel and Hamas have completed the fifth exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as agreed...
The United States has announced the approval of the sale of more than $7.4bn in bombs,...
